Global Journal of Medical Research, L: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 22 Issue 2

The Effects of Early-Harvest Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Cognition and Mental Health of Primary (PPMS) or Secondary (SPMS) Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Patients Thanos Chatzikostopoulos α , Magdalini Tsolaki σ , Greta Wozniak ρ , Emmanouela Basgiouraki Ѡ , Iordanis Saoulidis ¥ , Dimitrios Michmizos § & Efrosyni Koutsouraki χ Abstract- Aim of the study: Over the last years the cognitive and mental health impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are indicated as important clinical symptoms in the course of the disease. Every beneficial therapeutic management with this target could lessen the disability caused by the disease and improve the quality of life of MS patients. It is known that Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) can exert positive effects on cognition regarding neurodegenerative diseases. Phenolic compounds in EVOO have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the brain but all the mechanisms are not clear yet. The present pilot study examines the benefits of early harvest EVOO (EH EVOO) on cognition and mental health regarding MS. Materials and Methods: The participants had been diagnosed with primary (PPMS) or secondary (SPMS) progressive MS and they were evaluated using a neuropsychological assessment, which covers a wide range of cognitive and mental health functions before and after one year of treatment. Results: After one year of EH EVOO consumption the results indicated that the patients showed significant improvement in processing speed (p=.01), visuospatial memory (p=.002) and functions related to the frontal lobes, such as mental flexibility and adaptation to the environment (p=.017). On the contrary, patients, who were not consuming EH EVOO (control group), did not show significant improvement neither in processing speed (p=.443) or functions related to the frontal lobes (p=.357). Conclusions and Clinical Implications: The consumption of EVOO can be helpful for some cognitive functions, such as visuospatial memory and processing speed. For this reason, EVOO may have an important role in neuroprotection and neurodegeneration in MS patients. Keywords: early harvest extra virgin olive oil, cognition, mental health, multiple sclerosis. Author α σ Ѡ ¥ § χ : 1st Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece. e-mail: athchatziko@gmail.com Author α σ ρ : Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, 54643 Thessaloniki, Greece. Author ρ : Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus. Author: Medical School, University of Cyprus, 2109 Nicosia, Cyprus. I. I ntroduction ccording to National Multiple Sclerosis Society Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can be defined as an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s defense system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS). In this way, the immune system can precipitate neuroinflammation that, in turn, leads to demyelination and, subsequently, to axonopathy and neurodegeneration. Because of these damages to the CNS, numerous neurological symptoms may be occurred with severity that differs among MS patients [1]. The diagnosis of MS is based on international diagnostic criteria, although there is a great probability of false diagnosis due to many neurodegenerative diseases mimicking MS symptoms. According to the Revised McDonald Criteria (2017) the use of brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis can expedite this process by confirming the damages. Besides these tests, the presence of oligoclonal bands in the CSF can confirm the diagnosis. The International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials of MS in 2013 has defined four types of MS: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing- remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS). Specifically, SPMS consists of an initial relapsing- remitting course, which will be evolved to a progressive disability. Furthermore, SPMS can be defined as active, if there is evidence of new MRI activity, or no active, as well as worsening, if there is a confirmed increase of disability after a relapse or not worsening. PPMS does not include relapses and remissions, but the neurological functions get worse gradually after the first symptoms. The same classification is applied in this type too [2]. For every clinical attack approximately 10 “asymptomatic” lesions are noted on MRI [3]. In 5%-15% of cases there is a primary progressive onset (PPMS) typically with gradual increase of disability on one dominant neuronal system. A 45 Year 2022 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXII Issue II Version I ( D ) L © 2022 Global Journals